Rise of the System Lord

The First Step

Ethan’s gaze sharpened. "A king?"

Kael’s dark eyes glittered beneath the flickering torchlight. He pushed off the wall, the dull sound of his boots striking the stone floor. His fingers drummed idly on the hilt of his dagger.

"That’s the story," Kael said. "Centuries ago, before the noble houses ruled the kingdom, there was a king. The first System User."

Ethan’s jaw tightened. "And House Valtorin?"

Kael’s smile darkened. "The king’s descendants. That’s why the System is supposed to be tied to noble bloodlines."

Ethan’s eyes narrowed. "But I’m not noble."

Kael’s smile deepened. "Exactly."

Ethan’s hand curled into a fist. His heartbeat thudded steadily beneath his ribs. The System pulsed faintly at the edge of his mind, like the slow beat of a distant war drum.

"If the System’s tied to bloodlines, then why did it activate for me?"

"Good question." Kael stepped closer. His gaze sharpened. "And that’s why Selene is hunting you."

Ethan’s jaw clenched. Selene Valtorin — the heir of House Valtorin — had already sent assassins after him. And according to Kael, her father, Lord Darius, would rather see Ethan dead than risk him unlocking the full power of the System.

Kael studied him with quiet interest. "So… what are you going to do?"

Ethan’s fingers brushed the hilt of his dagger. His muscles felt tight — coiled — like a spring wound to its breaking point.

"The System gave me power." Ethan’s voice was low. "I’m going to use it."

Kael’s mouth curled. "Careful with that."

Ethan’s eyes narrowed. "Why?"

Kael’s gaze darkened. "Because power has a price."

[New Quest Added: Bloodline Secrets]

Objective: Learn the origin of the System and its connection to House Valtorin.

Reward: +10 to Strength | Unlock Shadow Technique Lvl 2

Ethan exhaled slowly. He pushed past Kael and started toward the heavy iron door at the far end of the room. His footsteps echoed against the stone.

"Where are you going?" Kael’s voice followed him.

"To find answers."

Kael’s smile sharpened. "You won’t have to go far."

Ethan’s hand closed around the cold iron handle. He pushed the door open and stepped into a long corridor lined with torches. Cold air rolled down the hall, carrying the damp scent of mold and stone.

His mind sharpened. His senses, heightened by the System, picked up every detail — the faint scratch of a rat beneath the floorboards, the distant drip of water, the flickering rhythm of the torches.

Ethan’s gaze slid toward Kael. "What’s down there?"

Kael’s smile faded. "The undercity."

Ethan’s brow lifted. "What’s in the undercity?"

"Secrets." Kael’s voice hardened. "And people who don’t want to be found."

Ethan’s hand tightened on the hilt of his dagger. "Sounds perfect."

Kael’s smile returned. "Then lead the way, System Lord."

Ethan’s eyes flashed dangerously. He stepped into the dark corridor. The iron door slammed shut behind him with a low, echoing thud.

The corridor twisted downward into the earth. Ethan’s boots scraped against cold stone as he descended deeper into the dark. His hand brushed against the rough wall as the light from the torches thinned.

The System’s glow pulsed faintly in the dark, illuminating the path ahead.

[Stealth Skill Upgraded to Lvl 2]

"Move with greater silence. Remain unseen."

Ethan’s lips curled faintly.

A shadow flickered at the edge of his vision.

His dagger was already in his hand before the figure struck.

Steel flashed.

Ethan sidestepped the strike and twisted, driving his elbow into the attacker’s jaw. A sharp crack echoed through the corridor as the figure stumbled back.

Ethan pressed his dagger beneath the figure’s chin before the next breath.

"Nice reflexes."

The voice was low. Amused. Female.

Ethan’s gaze sharpened. "Who are you?"

The figure stepped back into the dim light. A slender woman with dark crimson hair and narrow, fox-like eyes smiled at him. A curved blade rested loosely in her hand.

Her smile widened. "Lyra."

Ethan’s eyes narrowed. "You're fast."

"And you're sloppy," Lyra said. "If I’d wanted to kill you, you’d already be dead."

Ethan’s hand tightened on the dagger. "Try it."

Lyra’s smile sharpened. "Careful what you ask for, System Lord."

"Stop calling me that."

"Why?" Her eyes gleamed. "You don’t like the title?"

Ethan’s jaw tightened. "What are you doing down here?"

"Looking for you."

Ethan’s gaze darkened. "Why?"

Lyra’s smile faded slightly. "Because you’ve put a target on your back. And I don’t like unfinished business."

Kael’s voice echoed from the doorway behind them. "She’s useful."

Ethan shot him a sharp look. "You know her?"

Kael shrugged. "We’ve… worked together."

Lyra’s eyes glittered. "Worked together? That’s cute."

Ethan’s dagger didn’t lower. "And what do you want from me?"

Lyra’s gaze sharpened. "Not much."

Ethan’s eyes narrowed. "Be specific."

Lyra’s smile turned sharp. "I want to see how far you’ll go."

Ethan’s expression darkened. "Why?"

Lyra leaned in close, her breath brushing against his ear.

"Because House Valtorin killed my family too."

Ethan’s jaw tightened. "And you think I care?"

"I think you care about revenge."

Ethan’s eyes glinted coldly. "And if I do?"

Lyra’s smile sharpened. "Then you and I have the same goal."

Ethan’s dagger lowered slightly. "And if I refuse?"

Lyra shrugged. "Then you’ll die alone."

Ethan’s hand lingered on the hilt of his dagger.

Kael’s voice broke the silence. "We could use her."

Ethan’s gaze stayed on Lyra’s face. Her eyes were sharp and clever — a predator’s eyes. Not someone to trust. Not someone to rely on.

But maybe that was exactly what he needed.

Finally, he slid the dagger back into his sheath.

Lyra’s smile widened. "Smart choice."

"Don't make me regret it."

"I won’t."

Ethan turned toward the corridor ahead. "You coming?"

Lyra stepped into the shadow behind him. "Lead the way, System Lord."

Ethan’s eyes narrowed.

He walked deeper into the dark, Lyra’s footsteps trailing behind him. The System’s pulse quickened beneath his skin.

Selene was hunting him.

Lord Darius wanted him dead.

The nobles would never accept him — a street rat with the System.

Good.

Ethan’s lips curled faintly as the darkness swallowed them.

"Let them come."

[Quest Progression: Bloodline Secrets – 2% Complete]

[Party Formed: Kael + Lyra]

[New Skill Tree Unlocked: Group Tactics]

Ethan smiled coldly.

The hunt had begun.